Education

United Ways across Michigan help children and youth achieve their potential by making certain they enter school ready to learn, achieve age-appropriate benchmarks, complete high school and make a successful transition to post secondary education and/or vocational training.

pre-k and early childhoold programs

When ALICE’s children lack access to quality care and education before they go to kindergarten, they can fall behind, and some children who fall behind early never catch up. Early investment can help prevent future burden on the education system and other social services. Make a donation that helps children 0 - 3 gain access to quality programs before they enter elementary school.

high quality k-12 education

Kids from ALICE households cannot prepare for a successful career and life without a quality education. ALICE student achievement and reading by third grade depends upon support for high standards, improved teacher quality, and excellent schools. Put your dollar to work making sure these young people have access to programs that support their in-school learning.

post secondary education & workforce development

Without opportunities for post-secondary education or training, members of ALICE households become trapped in minimum wage jobs. Adults who cannot make a good living cannot significantly contribute to Michigan’s economy. The Michigan Association of United Ways helps to fund programs that encourage these opportunities across the state.

Health

United Way works to improve the number of children and adults who have access to and receive quality health and dental care. Donate to United Way to help connect our friends, family and neighbors with health and human services with the greatest possible efficiency.

Michigan Children's health access program

Send your dollars to support MI-CHAP, an innovative and bold model that works to connect children + youth on Medicaid with Medical Homes. Help us reduce unnecessary visits the the Emergency Room, support healthy children and save your insurance dollars.

HEALTHY KIDS DENTAL EXPANSION

Our Public Policy team supports the expansion of Healthy Kids Dental - our largest populations of children from ALICE households should have access to dental services. Donate today to support their efforts.

Michigan 2-1-1

People of all ages and socioeconomic status utilize Michigan 2-1-1 daily to connect with much needed Health and Human Services resources across the state. Use your dollars to help fund a necessary system that helps to reduce the amount of time needed to find a vital service in your community.

Financial Stability

United Ways promote financial stability and independence by moving toward economic stability, requiring policies that help individuals and families increase income, build savings and gain and sustain assets. Donating to the Michigan Association of United Ways helps to support The ALICE Project, one of the most compelling and comprehensive studies of financial insecurity in our state.

The ALICE Project

The cornerstone of our Financial Stability work, The 2014 ALICE Report is the result The ALICE Project. This data-based report is one of the most compelling and comprehensive studies of financial instability in Michigan. Donating to the Michigan Association of United Ways helps to fund the 2017 ALICE Report Refresh and to ensure that the work around the Report will continue.

Work Support restrictions

Our Public Policy team is working to alleviate restrictions on work supports that increase bureaucratic paperwork for ALICE households rather than helping those households become financially independent. Sending your dollar to the Michigan Association of United Ways helps support that work.

Tax credits & state EITC

ALICE households' budget shortfall expands when tax credits are reduced, effectively raising each households taxes. Reductions in credits wide the income gap for ALICE households. Reward ALICE households for working and increase household stability with restoration of the state Earned Income Tax Credit. Your donation helps support our work to expand these policies.